David Henry Collins, 93, of Waldorf, Maryland.

David Henry Collins was born to the late Reuben B. Collins and Helen Stewart Collins on December 7, 1929, in Seaford, Delaware.  His parents worked hard to raise their son during the great depression and ensured that he had a strong Christian foundation, which was developed at Macedonia AME Church, Seaford, Delaware.

David attended Seaford's segregated school system, which required all Black students to complete their high school education at Delaware State College in Dover, Delaware.  Upon graduating high school, David pursued undergraduate studies at Delaware State College, majoring in Education.  He pledged Omega Psi Phil Fraternity, Psi Epsilon Chapter in 1948. David graduated in 1951 having earned a bachelor's degree. He was an avid reader and always had a book or newsprint in hand ready to strike up a debate and merely to share facts to elevate others' thinking.

David was an entrepreneur.  As a young child, he earned money by shining shoes and working in the bowling alley setting up pins for five cents a day.  In his early twenties, he sold snowballs from his snowball truck. He served in the Korean War from 1951 through 1953 and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps.

He began working for Charles County "Colored" Schools in 1953 where he taught at Bel Alton High School. He retired from Charles County Public Schools in 1984. Being a licensed Master Barber, he accepted a position at the Lorton Reformatory in Lorton, Virginia teaching barbering skills and helping inmates to receive a credit to become licensed barbers.  Although he retired for good in 1989, David continued to cut hair in barbershops in the Washington DC area.

David met Ernescine Douglas at Rehoboth Beach where he worked as a short-order cook over the summer break.  They fell in love and later married in 1958. They had three children together.  He and Ernescine became members of the Metropolitan United Methodist Church where he was a devout member of the Methodist Men.  He was an avid bowler and bowled in Charles County's Senior Bowling league.  He was also a member of the American Legion, Post 170.  David was an excellent craftsman who made beautiful chests.   He was an exquisite cook and was known for making delicious pancakes for his family on the weekends.

David encouraged Ernescine to start her business "Ernie's Workshop" where they hosted annual fashion shows featuring Ernescine's latest fashions.  David was proud of his family and talked about his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to everyone.

David is preceded in death by his wife Ernescine Collins, parents Reuben B. Collins and Helen S. Collins, and brother Reuben K. Collins.  He is survived by his sister Zakiya Bakari-Griffin (Dania), brother Elijah M. Collins, and sister-in-law, Margie Bohannon. He leaves to mourn, his four children, Nancy Mifflin, Reuben B. Collins (Debborah), Rhonda Collins, and Terri Collins.  Grandchildren Morgan Edmonds (Kyle), Taj Reed, Matthew Collins, Tyme Collins, and Janiya Collins; two great-granddaughters Khloe and Kennedy Edmonds.

Friends may visit with the family, 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 7, 2023, in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640. Also, Saturday, April 8, 2023, viewing, 10:00 a.m. until time of Service, 11:00 a.m., at Metropolitan United Methodist Church, 3385 Metropolitan Church Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640 .